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We moved last October, and I'm finally getting around to emptying the garage we rent near the old place. That means I need to pull my finger out and sort a new shed at the new place.
We currently have a breeze block monstrosity with asbestos roof and bonus ivy that we'll be paying someone to get rid of (the asbestos bit definitely, the rest probably). This will leave me with space for (I reckon, need to have a proper measure up) something like an 8x10 wooden shed. This will need to house 5 bikes (2 mtb, 1 gravel, 1 BMX, one shopper currently in bits), a small tyre mountain, lawnmower, and assorted other odds and sods. I'd also like a bit of workshop space for fiddling with bike bits and being arty (I'm not expecting to work on a full bike in there, but a bit of space would be nice).
So what should I be looking for in a shed? Is pressure treated worth the extra? What kind of layouts are you using for inspiration? And where's good to buy from?
My first thought would be is there room for more sheds. N+1 works for sheds too. It is actually quite practical as well. We have a little bike store in the front garden for the cheap commuter bikes, a small gardening shed and my proper workshop. The small gardening shed gets stuffed with all manner of junk in the summer so it is nice to keep this separate from my workshop. The front bike store is very convenient and can be lower security so much easier to use.
Could you clad the breeze block and re-roof it.When I build my shed/workshop I planned to do dwarf walls from breeze block then attach the rest of the wooden structure,but for the extra cost it was worth just going for full walls.More secure and was great for mounting shelves.
I think 5 bikes and space for being arty all in a 8 x 10 shed is perhaps too ambitious. If you want it as a space for being arty, I wouldn't want the lawnmower in there.
I have an 8 x 12, currently with three full bikes (2 mtbs, one street bike). Door is in the middle of the short side (narrow garden). Two of the bikes are by the door where rear wheels sit in DIY wooden wheel holders which keeps the bikes close together without falling or leaning on each other awkwardly.
I've got ~7" deep shelves along one long side (where the bikes are). A big semi-industrial shelving unit at the opposite end to the door, a stack of 3 filing cabinets next to the door. The workbench fills length between filing cabinets and shelving unit.
It's a nice space, I'm overall happy with it. There's a few boxes of junk I need to sort through then I could have at least four full bikes in there and still have space to do things.
I went for pressure treated. Purchased in the Autumn before Covid happened and prices had shot up. Went with Nordic Timber Buildings, the timber was a little thicker than some cheaper sheds, but not so thick as the pricier sheds. They also had option for 3ft wide door which makes it easy to get MTB handlebars through (I commute daily so didn't want a narrow single door or double doors).
Whats up with the monstrosity!?
Just clad as above.
Cement bound asbestos roof is not a problem (unless its breaking up?), also could be some other cement bound material not asbestos.
Its actually a really good roofing material, no condensation, no rot.
1. More sheds
2. Even more
3. They must be bigger.
4. Why the hell get rid of a secure concrete thing for some poxy wooden job? Hide it. Clad it. Take a tiny bit of the roof to an expert and say you found it in the wood. Bet its not dangerous and if it is don't lick it.
As above - i'd clad/re-roof the breeze block garage.
Cheaper, warmer and more secure.
multiple storage places was way to go for me
Asgard - 3 most expensive bikes
8x12 shed - 2 cheap bikes, wife and kids bikes & gardening stuff
Keter plastic storage box for kids scooters, footballs etc
2 sheds not a bad plan. I've got a 7 x 3 shed stuffed behind some bushes. garden tools on one side, shelves with paint and oddments at the end, lawnmover on the other side with long, wide shelves above. All the boring stuff packed (neatly and accessibly) in there, leaving the other shed for funner stuff.
8x10 feet? meters?
Space for more bikes.
Insurers prefer masonry sheds to timber sheds.
Assuming you're working in feet, I think you're going to need a second storey to fit in everything you want it to do.